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Business
Callaway Golf Company reports first quarter operating results for the three months ending March 31, 2002, announcing sales of $256.4 million, compared to $261.4 million during the same quarter in 2001.
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GOLF 20/20's Executive Board announces the process of distributing a list of industry definitions that has been refined over the past year. GOLF 20/20 is the golf industry's initiative to enhance the growth of the game.
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Component maker Coastcast submits a plan to the New York Stock Exchange for compliance with the exchange's listing criteria.
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Shaft and grip maker Royal Precision reports it has received an offer to become a private company.
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Instruction
Eighty Nike Golf Learning Centers across the United States will provide new men and women golfers with a fun introduction to the sport during New Golfer Day on Saturday, April 20.
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Equipment
Spalding Sports Worldwide, in support of the Ben Hogan brand, launches an aggressive demo day and direct marketing program taking place throughout the key spring and early summer golf club buying season.
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Sun Mountain, a golf equipment designer and manufacturer, continues to expand its School Program. Last year, over 600 colleges and high school golf teams were equipped with Sun Mountain gear. This year's offerings include an improved Collegiate stand golf bag.
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LPGA Tour player Maggie Will plans to use a Louisville Golf Stimp 10CB putter at the Long's Drugs Challenge this week.
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PING introduces a Color Code system that optimizes performance and feel for its extensive range of putters. The color refers to the lie angle of each putter and is similar to the system PING uses with its irons.
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Players
Lee Elder, who in 1975 was the first African American to play in the Masters, holds the first of several "Tee It Up for Success" clinics at local historical black colleges today at John A. White golf course.
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Accessories
Clarus Products International offers the popular QLink pendant in deluxe 14-carat gold. Also, $50 from each pendant sold will be donated to the Hook A Kid On Golf program.
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Sponsorship
Softspikes, Inc., is named the official cleat of the U.S. Challenge Golf Tour.
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Technology consultant RDA announces it will be among the corporate supporters of the 2002 U.S. Senior Open golf tournament, to be held June 27-30 at Caves Valley Golf Club in Baltimore, Md.
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Technology
Cybergolf signs up the five golf courses associated with Palmetto Hall and Palmetto Dunes on Hilton Head Island, S.C., to use its Broadcast Email Blast Service.
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People
The Golf Association of Philadelphia appoints Bill Jones, 67, as its new director of the Philadelphia Local and Area Youth golf program.
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Colleges
Georgia Tech remains the top-ranked team in the Precept Coaches Poll. For the seventh consecutive poll, the Yellow Jackets have been the nation's No. 1 team in the Division I ranking administered by the Golf Coaches Association of America.
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Casual Friday
Just a Matter of Time

The anticipated Sunday showdown at the Masters turned out to be a meltdown of major proportions. At least that is the way it will be remembered for years to come, that Woods' top challengers faltered down the stretch. And that is also a shame.

How many times have we craved a leaderboard with six of the top seven players in world on it, especially on a Sunday, especially at a major? It took 54 quirky holes to finally get the stars aligned, but at least they were aligned.

How many times has a major gotten to Saturday night and we say 'If only so-and-so could have played better, then ..." Maybe, though, this is what we can start to expect from the Masters. Look at last year's 54-hole major leaderboards and determine which was the best (strokes behind in parentheses):

Masters - first, Tiger Woods; second, Phil Mickelson (1); third, Chris DiMarco and Mark Calcavecchia (2); fourth, David Duval, Ernie Els, Angel Cabrera (3).
U.S. Open - first, Stewart Cink and Retief Goosen; third, Rocco Mediate, Sergio Garcia and Mark Brooks (1); sixth, Phil Mickelson (2).
British Open - first, David Duval, Bernhard Langer and Alex Cejka; fourth, nine players (1).
PGA Championship - first, David Toms; second Phil Mickelson (2); third, Steve Lowery and Shingo Katayama (4).

For sheer star power, the Masters won out easily. And last year's Masters went down to the wire with Woods, Duval and Mickelson taking win, place and show.

Sunday's like the one that occurred most recently are bound to happen. Besides it's better to see Woods and the world's best contending at a major than some second-tiered player and a bunch of Woods wannabes.

So if this really is what we can come to expect from the Masters year in and year out, then sit back because one of these years the drama will go right down to that last hole - or beyond.

DOUBLE CLICK
www.elinnordegren.com

You think we're joking, right? Wrong. Tiger Woods' current love interest is one of the hottest subjects of search engines. This Web site is one of the more tasteful in regards to Nordegren, a twentysomething Swedish model.

 

Reader's Forum On Saturday at the Masters, Tiger Woods erased a six-stroke deficit in 26 holes and by day's end was the third-round co-leader with Retief Goosen. Woods then went out on Sunday, shot a 1-under 71 and won his second straight Masters, third overall, and his seventh professional major. And Woods is not yet 27. Is Woods the greatest of all time? If not, who is? Let us know your opinions by sending your responses to stuart@gpagolf.com with the subject line RE: Tiger Woods. Also include your first initial and last name, along with your email address.